Lakeland College named Colin Bruton its 16th head football coach, Lakeland Interim Director of Athletics April Arvan announced Wednesday.

Bruton takes over the head coaching position after serving as Lakeland's defensive coordinator under former coach Kevin Doherty for the past eight years. Doherty resigned Monday to take a position at Benedictine (Ill.) University as offensive coordinator and director of football operations.

"We are very excited to promote Coach Bruton to the position," said Arvan. "His accomplishments as defensive coordinator, as well as commitment to our student-athletes in every aspect of their lives, make him a great fit for our program."

Bruton's Lakeland defenses have been known as attacking, aggressive units that performed well in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, and last year's unit took that a step further, delivering performances that ranked them among the top defenses in all of NCAA Division III.

Lakeland finished in the top 25 in 10 national statistical defensive categories last season, including the top 10 in seven categories. The Muskies were third in rush defense and red zone defense, eighth in total defense, sacks and tackles for loss per game, 14th in scoring defense and 17th in fewest first downs allowed. Bruton was recognized for the team's fine season as he was named one of six finalists nationally for the FootballScoop.com Division III Coordinator of the Year.

"I am incredibly honored to be given the task of leading the Lakeland College football program," said Bruton. "I want to thank President Dan Eck, April Arvan and (Lakeland assistant athletic director) Aaron Aanonsen for trusting me with the position. We plan to put together a team that will make the Lakeland community proud both on and off the field."

Under Bruton, Muskie defenses also led the NACC in scoring defense and total defense in 2011 and were second in total defense in both 2008 and 2010 as well as second in scoring defense in 2010. Lakeland also led the conference in turnovers forced in 2010 and ranked in the top half in the conference in turnovers forced three times in four years from 2008-11.

Prior to arriving at Lakeland, Bruton served for three years as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He played collegiately at Benedictine, where he was a two-year starter and three-year letter winner from 1999-2001. This is his first collegiate head coaching job.